Former Rep. Corrine Brownimplied she was unfairly targeted in a conspiracy and corruption investigation for racial reasons.

Brown is facing federal conspiracy and corruption charges for allegedly using money raised for a scholarship charity as a personal fund for herself, her chief of staff and the organization’s president, according to WESH.

Last month, Brown’s former aide Ronnie Simmons changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

“He was like my son for more than 20-something years,” Brown said.

Brown lost her primary to Rep. Al Lawson last year after her district was redrawn, which she said was the beginning of her troubles.

“You changed my district completely. The next was this indictment,” she said.

When asked why the Justice Department was targeting her, Brown said “I guess I’m a black woman with a mouth.”

Correction March 3 11:30 a.m. | An earlier version of this story mischaracterized Ronnie Simmons’ plea.